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Problems With the Hubble Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit via space shuttle in 1990. Since its launch, the telescope has experienced several technical and mechanical issues that have interfered with the telescope's ability to accurately transmit data back to Earth. When a large issue arises, astronauts often have to visit the telescope to make repairs.

Mirror Flaws
- Immediately upon activation of the telescope, scientists noted that the images being returned were of a far lower quality than they had been anticipating. After some research, it was deduced that the Hubble's primary mirror had been ground into the wrong shape, thus causing aberrations in images and a general lack of clarity. Scientists solved this problem by building new components for the telescope to correct for the mirror's design flaw.
Computer Failure
- In 2008, the Science Instrument Command and Data Handling unit on the Hubble Telescope stopped working. The unit was responsible for reading all scientific information gathered by the telescope before transmitting it back to Earth. This abrupt failure caused the fourth service mission to the telescope to be delayed until technicians could develop a replacement unit.
Orbital Decay
- The Hubble telescope floats in space just outside of Earth's atmosphere, orbiting about 570 kilometers above the surface. As the telescope orbits Earth, friction from the upper atmosphere causes the orbit of the telescope to decay, drawing it closer and closer to the Earth. This means that the telescope's orbit must be boosted periodically to prevent it from falling to the Earth's surface.

Astronomy